by Viv Evans

Created on: May 21, 2007   Last Updated: May 18, 2012

I have worked freelance on contracts ever since my company decided about 7 years ago to save the money it was using to house employees in a big downtown office tower and let us all work from home. Since then, I have more than met my previous income levels by using that contract as my main income source and then freelancing other contracts. I have now built up a roster of clients and a portfolio that gets me work quite easily whenever I need it. I work fewer hours than I used to, and can be quite flexible about when to work. Here are some insights:

Stick to what you know

This doesn't necessarily mean trying to turn your current job into a work-at-home freelance opportunity. It might mean doing a different job, but in the same industry, or doing the same job, but in a different industry. For example, my background is in library work. My main source of income is work for an educational full text database, using subject headings similar to library cataloging. My secondary income comes mostly from writing and editing company newsletters for companies that want to keep their staff and customers informed but who don't have the staff to do it in-house. I started by doing this for two libraries and expanded from there.

Stay up to date

This means you need to stay on top of industry jargon and developments. It might mean you need to pay for courses and conferences your company used to pay for when you were a regular employee. Don't miss these opportunities to learn and to network.

Price yourself fairly

You need to find the narrow balance between getting paid a fair wage for your work and asking beyond what most people are willing to pay. Asking too little or too much marks you as an amateur.

Make your portfolio shine

When you don't have a referral or reference within an industry, your portfolio of work is all you have. Be sure to put your best foot forward. This is especially important if you are hoping to establish yourself as a writer or editor. One spelling error, misused word, or grammar mistake can close a door forever.

Under promise and over deliver 

It is imperative, especially with new clients, you deliver top quality work and deliver it on time. Often, the person who contracted you is reporting to someone higher. If you make excuses, you make them look bad.

Most of all, start out as you intend to go forward. You don't need to have a fancy high tech home office, but you do need to make sure you have systems in place to track and schedule work and to invoice and collect from clients.

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